Best Cheap Health Insurance in Pennsylvania 2020

Cheap health insurance plans in Pennsylvania are available through the state exchange, though some shoppers can qualify for Medicaid depending on their household income. For 2020, the average cost of health insurance in the state is $471, down less than 1% from the 2018 average.

To help you find your best health insurance coverage, we evaluated all Pennsylvania plans and found that in most of the state, either the my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA or UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 was the cheapest Silver plan available. These insurers aren't available on the marketplace in every Pennsylvania county, but they consistently offered some of the best health insurance rates across different tiers of coverage in regions where they're listed.

Cheapest health insurance by metal tier

We compared Pennsylvania plans by metal tier in order to help you find a cheap health insurance policy for your preferred level of coverage.

The set of insurers and plans available is determined by the county you live in, so not all of the policies listed below are offered everywhere in the state.

But we recommend using these as a starting point to assess the benefits you can expect for a given tier of coverage as compared to premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Metal tier

Cheapest plan

Deductible

Maximum out-of-pocket

Monthly cost for a 40-year-old

Catastrophic

Together Blue Major Events EPO 8150 - 3 Free PCP Visits

$8,150

$8,150

$200

Bronze

Together Blue EPO Bronze 7900

$7,900

$7,900

$239

Expanded Bronze

Together Blue EPO Bronze 3900

$3,900

$7,900

$250

Silver

Together Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$3,950

$6,750

$329

Gold

Together Blue EPO Gold 0-2 Free PCP Visits

$0

$7,500

$343

Platinum

Keystone HMO Platinum

$0

$5,000

$861

In addition to metal tier, the actual cost of a health insurance plan in Pennsylvania will depend on the policy you choose, as well as your age and the number of people insured.

So, for instance, a younger couple with no children will pay cheaper rates than an older couple with multiple children covered. As you can see below, age alone has a significant impact on health insurance premiums across every tier.

For the same metal tier health plan, a 40-year-old would pay 53% less in rates than a 60-year-old individual. And a 21-year-old person shopping for health insurance coverage would get the same policy for a 22% lower price than a 40-year-old.

Finding your best health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania

Where you live in Pennsylvania and your income will determine your best cheap health insurance plan available. Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so if your household income is up to 138% of the federal poverty level, you'll qualify for this coverage in the state.

For those that don't qualify for Medicaid, your best health insurance options will typically be through the state marketplace, particularly if you have a low household income.

Many households can qualify for tax subsidies to help lower the cost of health insurance coverage for an exchange plan.

Health insurance plans on the Pennsylvania exchange are divided into metal tiers, which indicate a plan's level of benefits, out-of-pocket expenses and monthly costs.

Gold and Platinum plans: Best for high expected medical costs

The higher metal tier health plans, such as Gold and Platinum tiers, come with higher premiums, but significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Therefore, they're typically a more cost-effective option if you expect to have consistent or high medical expenses.

For instance, people with consistent prescription needs may want to consider Gold and Platinum plans that have cheap out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs.

Silver plans: Best for average medical costs or people with low income

If you're looking for a middle ground — health insurance with both affordable premiums and out-of-pocket expenses — we typically recommend looking at Silver plans. Silver health insurance plans have lower out-of-pocket costs than Bronze plans, but cheaper monthly premiums than the Gold or Platinum policies.

In addition, if you have a lower income household, Silver plans are eligible for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies, meaning you may qualify for an even more affordable rate.

Bronze and Catastrophic plans: Best for young, healthy people with savings

Lower-tier plans, such as Bronze and Catastrophic plans, have lower monthly premiums, but your total expenses will be much higher if you need medical care due to the high cost-sharing features.

Therefore, these plans may be the best cheap option for young and healthy shoppers who have low expected medical needs and enough savings to cover the high deductibles, copays and coinsurance if necessary.

But, keep in mind that Catastrophic plans aren't available for everyone — you'll only qualify for these policies if you're under the age of 30 or meet certain exemptions.

Health insurance rate changes in Pennsylvania

Health insurance rates are determined by each health provider and then submitted for approval to the federal exchange. For 2020, Platinum policies have seen the largest increase of 22.5% since the 2018 plan year. Additionally, Silver plans have only seen a slight uptick, increasing $14 per month over the time period.

Metal tier

2018 Premium

2020 Premium

% Change

Catastrophic

$303

$324

6.84%

Bronze

$378

$355

-5.97%

Expanded Bronze

$390

$418

7.06%

Silver

$504

$518

2.76%

Gold

$522

$544

4.15%

Platinum

$742

$909

22.47%

2018 and 2020 premiums are for a 40-year-old adult.

Short-term health insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents can purchase short-term health insurance through providers outside of the health exchange. These policies, which can be purchased at any time during the year, are a good option if you missed the open enrollment period or lost employer-sponsored coverage.

Pennsylvania follows federal guidelines when it comes to short-term health insurance. Initial coverage is limited to one year, and policies can be renewed up to 36 months.

Best cheap health insurance companies in Pennsylvania

There are currently twelve health insurance companies on the Pennsylvania state exchange:

UPMC Health Options, Inc.

Geisinger Health Plan

Highmark Inc.

Capital Advantage Assurance Company

Geisinger Quality Options

Highmark Choice Company

Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc.

Highmark Benefits Group Inc.

Independence Blue Cross (QCC Ins. Co.)

Keystone Health Plan East, Inc

Pennsylvania Health & Wellness, Inc.

Oscar Health Plan of Pennsylvania, Inc.

None of the insurers are available in every county in Pennsylvania, however UPMC is available in most regions of the state.

These insurers offered the cheapest Silver health plans in the 67 counties where they are listed on the exchange, so we recommend starting with them when searching for the best health insurance policy for yourself. If you live in a county in Pennsylvania UPMC isn't offered, you can typically find the most affordable health plan rates from the Highmark Health Insurance Co.

Cheapest health Insurance plan by county

The insurers and health insurance plans available on the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Marketplace will vary depending on the county you live in. To help you get started finding your best cheap health insurance policy, we identified the cheapest Silver plan in each county in the state.

Below, you can see sample monthly premiums for each of the plans based on your family size.

County

Cheapest Plan

Age 40

Couple, Age 40

Couple, Age 40 + Child

Adams

UPMC Advantage Silver $3,500/$25 - Premium Network

$602

$1,204

$1,565

Allegheny

Together Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$329

$657

$854

Armstrong

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Beaver

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Select Network

$353

$706

$918

Bedford

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$334

$669

$869

Berks

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$507

$1,015

$1,319

Blair

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$334

$669

$869

Bradford

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Bucks

Oscar Classic Silver Next

$461

$921

$1,197

Butler

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Select Network

$353

$706

$918

Cambria

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Cameron

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$483

$965

$1,254

Carbon

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Centre

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Chester

Oscar Classic Silver Next

$461

$921

$1,197

Clarion

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Clearfield

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Clinton

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$422

$844

$1,096

Columbia

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Crawford

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Cumberland

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$498

$995

$1,293

Dauphin

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$498

$995

$1,293

Delaware

Oscar Classic Silver Next

$461

$921

$1,197

Elk

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$483

$965

$1,254

Erie

Together Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$329

$657

$854

Fayette

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Select Network

$353

$706

$918

Forest

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Franklin

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$498

$995

$1,293

Fulton

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$583

$1,166

$1,515

Greene

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Huntingdon

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Indiana

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Jefferson

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Juniata

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$583

$1,166

$1,515

Lackawanna

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Lancaster

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$507

$1,015

$1,319

Lawrence

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$334

$669

$869

Lebanon

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$498

$995

$1,293

Lehigh

my Direct Blue Lehigh Valley EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$515

$1,031

$1,340

Luzerne

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Lycoming

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$422

$844

$1,096

McKean

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Mercer

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$334

$669

$869

Mifflin

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Monroe

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Montgomery

Oscar Classic Silver Next

$461

$921

$1,197

Montour

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Northampton

my Direct Blue Lehigh Valley EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$515

$1,031

$1,340

Northumberland

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Perry

my Direct Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$498

$995

$1,293

Philadelphia

Oscar Classic Silver Next

$461

$921

$1,197

Pike

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Potter

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$483

$965

$1,254

Schuylkill

my Direct Blue Lehigh Valley EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$515

$1,031

$1,340

Snyder

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Somerset

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Sullivan

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Susquehanna

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Tioga

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$422

$844

$1,096

Union

Silver PPO 6000/20/40

$577

$1,154

$1,500

Venango

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Partner Network

$334

$669

$869

Warren

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Premium Network

$440

$880

$1,144

Washington

Together Blue EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$329

$657

$854

Wayne

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

Westmoreland

UPMC Advantage Silver $2,000/$80 - Select Network

$353

$706

$918

Wyoming

my Priority Blue Flex EPO Silver 3950 HSA

$434

$867

$1,127

York

UPMC Advantage Silver $3,500/$25 - Premium Network

$602

$1,204

$1,565

Average cost of health insurance by family size in Pennsylvania

When you purchase a health insurance plan in Pennsylvania, you can also add your spouse and children to the policy, which will increase your premiums with each person covered. The cost of coverage for spouses and children over the age of 14 is determined by the age of the person being insured. Children ages 14 and younger can be added to your health insurance plan for a cheaper, flat rate.

Though the actual cost will vary according to the plan you choose, as you can see below, the average cost of adding a 40-year-old spouse to a Silver plan is $518. Adding a child to a Silver health insurance plan costs $310 on average.

So, a family of five in Pennsylvania, with an adult couple and three children, would pay an average health insurance cost of $1,966, or $620 more than a family of three would pay for a Silver plan.

Family Size

Average monthly cost of health plan

Individual + Child

$828

Couple Age 40

$1,036

Family of three (Adult couple and a child)

$1,346

Family of four (Adult couple and two children)

$1,656

Family of five (Adult couple and three children)

$1,966

Adults are assumed to be 40 years old. Sample rates are based on the average cost for a Silver plan in Pennsylvania.

Methodology

Health insurance rates and plans in Pennsylvania were compiled from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) government website. ValuePenguin used the Public Use Files (PUF) to average premiums by metal tier, county and family size to provide an overall view of health insurance cost for the state of Pennsylvania.

Sterling Price is a research analyst at ValuePenguin specializing in health and life insurance. He graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelors degree in Finance and Accounting and has previous experience as a licensed life insurance representative.

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

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